Cristiano Ronaldo should have started for Manchester United against Everton, according to Sir Alex Ferguson
Cristiano Ronaldo started on the bench in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Everton at Old Trafford on Saturday; the forward came on as a substitute but looked frustrated at the final whistle; Sir Alex Ferguson was caught on camera saying Ronaldo’s absence gave Everton a boost and that “you should always start your best players.”
Ronaldo started Saturday’s game on the bench, with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saying that his squad needed to rest following a “physically and emotionally” draining Champions League triumph against Villarreal three days prior.
Ronaldo was introduced during the second half of United’s 1-0 triumph over Everton, but he was unable to assist the team to maintain their lead.
United has won only two of their past six games, and Ronaldo was visibly upset after full-time on Saturday, marching straight down the tunnel while cursing to himself.
Ferguson, who led United to 13 Premier League trophies during his tenure, was in attendance at Old Trafford on Saturday and was caught conversing with UFC superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov after the game.
Ferguson is heard stating in a video shared on social media by the Russian that Everton were given a lift “when they saw Ronaldo wasn’t playing.”
When Nurmagomedov, who retired last year with a 29-0 record, mentioned Ronaldo’s second-half appearance, the Scot said, “Yeah, I know… but you should always start with your top players.”
Manchester United has declined to comment on the situation.
Since returning to United from Juventus this summer, Ronaldo has scored five goals in six appearances.
Ferguson originally signed him as an 18-year-old for Sporting Lisbon in 2003, before selling him to Real Madrid for a then-world-record price six years later.
Ronaldo has stated that Ferguson was instrumental in persuading him to return to Old Trafford this summer.
Ronaldo’s antics at Old Trafford, according to Gary Neville, only add to the pressure on Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
“I was watching the game and saw him go away.” On his most recent podcast, Neville remarked, “I can’t say I loved it.”
“Does Cristiano get irritated when he doesn’t play?” Yes. Is Cristiano irritated when he fails to score? Yes. Is Cristiano enraged when his team fails to win? Yes, of course. We are aware of these facts. He is not required to demonstrate this.
“As he walks away from the pitch, mumbling to himself, questions arise. What exactly is he saying? Who is it that he is irritated with? It can only lead to the manager’s desk.
“Cristiano is astute enough to see that such acts will put the manager under much more strain than he currently is.
“It is what it is, but I believe that it will have to be controlled in the next months.”
“Cristiano will not always score, and he may not be able to play every game, but if he walks off like that, it will put a lot of pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.”
